Page 49 of Wild Lily
“The lady,” Julian told him, “is honored you’ve done her and me the favor.”
“I’m pleased to do it, milord. Your horses are ready.”
“We won’t be long, Colin. Thank you.”
They mounted and urged the horses to a walk along a country lane. They spoke little, a quiet camaraderie Lily relished. The sounds of the wind rustling the trees was their only accompaniment.
“It smells like rain. Do you think it might?” Lily asked him.
“Perhaps. We’re not far from where I wanted to take you. Follow me. We may still have time before it starts.”
He spurred his horse to a trot and she followed him down the lane. At once, he stopped, turned and waited for her to catch up.
“There,” he pointed toward a flat plain before them. “If you’d like to try your hand at racing Polly, here’s your chance.”
She surveyed the terrain, rising in her saddle and smiling. “It seems to be more than three acres.”
“Four. You cannot see it well in the dark, but it’s a lovely clear expanse where you can enjoy yourself. Trust me when I say that Polly will too.”
Lily patted the mare on the neck. “She’s very responsive.”
“Knows her manners, that one.”
“Will you ride with me?”
“Better yet. Shall I race you?” he offered.
“Why not? You know Polly’s speed better than I, especially against that fine beast you’ve got here.”
“Horatio knows when to let a lady win.”
“That’s not very sporting,” she challenged him with a tip of her chin. “You assume I’m no match for you.”
Horatio snorted.
Julian chuckled. “He knows Polly and you.”
“Doubtful, sir,” she teased him.
He arched a disdainful brow. “We’ll race. Straight to the stone barrier. You’ll know it when you see it. Four feet high, pale stone. No jumping it, mind you. Turn. Then back to this marker. Here under this tree.”
“And the winner gets to name her own prize.”
“Ha! What did you have in mind?”
“Another run tomorrow night?” she asked with giddy hope.
“Incorrigible, you are.”
“A deal?”
“Of course.”
She beamed at him. “Ready?”
Off they went, she in the lead and intent on winning, he at her heels and fast closing the distance.
Polly was a speedy lady and Horatio had met his match. It tickled Lily to bend low in her saddle, feel the power of the animal beneath her and admit that the surge of excitement flowing through her had nothing to do with the horse, the ride or the moonlight.
